King James Version

What Does Exodus 18:12 Mean?

Exodus 18:12 in the King James Version says “And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Is... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

Exodus 18:12 · KJV


Context

10

And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

11

Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

12

And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

13

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.

14

And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God—Jethro's worship through sacrifice demonstrates genuine conversion. The 'burnt offering' (עֹלָה, olah, completely consumed) and 'sacrifices' (זְבָחִים, z'vachim, peace offerings) show comprehensive worship combining atonement and fellowship. The phrase 'for God' (לֵאלֹהִים, l'Elohim) indicates these are offered to YHWH, not Midianite deities. Aaron and all Israel's elders eating 'bread before God' (לֶאֱכָל־לֶחֶם עִם־חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה לִפְנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים, le'ekhol-lechem im-choten Moshe lifnei ha'Elohim) constitutes covenant meal, incorporating Jethro into worship community. This meal prefigures Gentile inclusion at the Lord's table. Jethro's priesthood offering sacrifice shows grace—God accepts worship from non-Aaronic priest, anticipating Christ's Melchizedek priesthood (Heb 7).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This sacrifice and meal occurred before the formal institution of Aaronic priesthood at Sinai, showing that acceptable worship preceded legal structures. The elders' participation welcomed Jethro into covenant fellowship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jethro offering sacrifice before Aaronic priesthood exists preview Christ's non-Aaronic priesthood?
  2. What does the covenant meal with elders teach about incorporating outsiders into worship community?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיִּקַּ֞ח1 of 19

took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

יִתְר֨וֹ2 of 19

And Jethro

H3503

jethro, moses' father-in-law

חֹתֵ֥ן3 of 19

father in law

H2859

to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage

מֹשֶׁ֖ה4 of 19

Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

עֹלָ֥ה5 of 19

a burnt offering

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וּזְבָחִ֖ים6 of 19

and sacrifices

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃7 of 19

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וַיָּבֹ֨א8 of 19

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אַֽהֲרֹ֜ן9 of 19

and Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וְכֹ֣ל׀10 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

זִקְנֵ֣י11 of 19

and all the elders

H2205

old

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל12 of 19

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לֶֽאֱכָל13 of 19

to eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

לֶ֛חֶם14 of 19

bread

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

עִם15 of 19
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

חֹתֵ֥ן16 of 19

father in law

H2859

to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage

מֹשֶׁ֖ה17 of 19

Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

לִפְנֵ֥י18 of 19

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃19 of 19

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 18:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 18:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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